We had quite an energetic meeting as Brooks Coleman spoke on "Getting Your Life in Beat." He described, with much enthusiasm and many amusing stories, how to become a hero or a shero with five steps:
The subject of the watch focus group and display at the August meeting was Hampden's 18-size watches. A number of interesting examples were brought by Jim Davis, Ed Brown and others. Although not intended to be limited to those watches accepted for railroad time service, such watches, both hunting-case and open-face, comprised the majority of the display. There were a number of 18-size, 15 and 17 jewel standard watches from 1884 to 1910, many with tu-tone damaskeening and a few with gilt trim. The watches were surrounded by copies of a number of ads and a trade press article heralding Hampden's promotion of its new line of 17-jewel movements and eventual move into 21 and 23-jewel watches. On the side, John Cheves and Kent Singer showed several 18-size, 21 and 23-Jewel watches made by Gallet (of Switzerland) for the T. Eaton Co., a major Toronto-based mail-order house. A 23-jewel, Waltham model `92 Vanguard was there for comparison since the T. Eaton watches bore a strong resemblance to it. The subject of the focus group and display for the October meeting is Illinois 18-size watches. As always, we appreciate seeing the watches that members are kind enough to bring.